Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Phishing attempts rose worldwide in April

BEDFORD, Mass. (5/12/08)--U.S. credit unions accounted for 36% of U.S. banking brands that were attacked during April by phishers attempting to secure personal financial information, according to statistics from RSA Anti-Fraud Command Center.

Regional U.S. banks also accounted for 36% of the phish attempts, while nationwide U.S. banks were targets in 28% of the attacks.

U.S. banking brands continued to lead as phishing targets, accounting for 62% of the attacks online. Together banks and credit unions formed more than two-thirds of the entities targeted during the month, said RSA.

The number of brands attacked totaled 215, a slight decrease from March's 225, which was the highest number of brands attacked in the past year.

More than 30 new financial entities were subjected to attacks during April.

The U.S. continued as the leader in hosting the largest number of attacks; however, the U.S. percentage decreased 12% to 51% of hosted attacks. China was the second-largest host, with 19% of all attacks.

AFCC noted that Zeus Trojan (also called "wsnpoem") attacks on financial institutions worldwide have increased. Because the package is easier to use, it can be easily controlled by unsophisticated users.

Phishing incidents spread into the Asia-Pacific region, with attacks increasing in Australia and New Zealand during both March and April.

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